Four Brandon University Business Students Take National Title

November 24, 2011

posted November 24, 2011

Brandon, MB — Today, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) announced the 2011 national winners of the You Innovate Canada Tournament: four Brandon University students. Stephen Chychota, Stephanie Fung, Jeanette Hudon and Kayvon Razzaghi, all senior BU students, rose to the top with their winning entry entitled Grow Mugs. They now hold the title of Most Innovative Mind(s) in Canada.

“The students have every right to proud with what they have done,” said Michael Malazdrewicz, the faculty member who guided the quartet in their quest. “They got an idea and then, despite challenges, turned their idea into an actual product. They managed to create sales and also a learning opportunity for elementary school children. The end result was a profit that was donated to a charitable organization, some happy customers and excited kids. We can all feel confident that the future is bright with young people, like the Grow Mugs Team, in our community.”

The Grow Mugs Project team used personalized recycled mugs to grow herbs and teach children about plants and healthy eating. To create their product, sell it and make the video that won them this honour took the students an estimated 200 hours. According to Stephanie Fung, one of the winning students, the experience of this tournament was well worth it.

“We’re really excited. We didn’t expect this,” said Fung, who added that the project raised more than $1,800, which was donated to SIFE Brandon for its community-minded projects. “We wanted the money to stay in this community.”

Along with winning a cash prize of $5,500, one of the BU group will attend the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in England, in March.

About The Canadian Youth Business Foundation – Canada’s Entrepreneur Gateway
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is the ‘go to’ place for youth entrepreneurship. It is a national charity, dedicated to growing Canada’s economy, one young entrepreneur at a time. Character, not collateral, is considered when providing youth, age 18-34, with pre-launch coaching, business resources, start-up financing and mentoring. CYBF helps them launch and sustain a successful entrepreneurial business. www.cybf.ca

“The YOU Innovate tournament encouraged Canadians to engage with, connect to and see the value of entrepreneurship in their everyday lives,” explains Vivian Prokop, chief executive officer, Canadian Youth Business Foundation. “The extraordinary creativity of the tournament champions is a true demonstration of the inspiring young minds who will soon be driving Canada’s future.”

About Global Entrepreneurship Week Canada
Between November 14-20, 2011, more than 100 countries will come together to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), a movement to inspire millions of people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity. GEW Canada 2011 is hosted by the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, a national not-for-profit organization that works to connect hundreds of organizations to champion a culture of entrepreneurship and mentoring, through local, national and global initiatives. Visit www.gewcanada.com for more information.